Improvement in signal-lights



A.M.||DLMES.\ SIGNALLIGHT.

ND. l8,94. Patented Sep. 12,1871.

Wines-s es.

lan/@Mo L'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNAL-LIGHTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,941, dated September 12, 1871.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER M. HoLMEs, of Morrisville, in the county of Madison and State of New York, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Railroad Signal-Lights; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing making a part ofthis specification and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawing is a side elevation and partial vertical section of my invention.

This invention has relation to an improvement in railroad signal-lights, by means of which the color of the signal may be instantly changed to give quick warning of danger or other circumstances, and it consists in the novel arrangement and mode of operating a white light or colorlessglass globe-lantern in connection with a red or colored globe for such purpose as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention, A represents a white light or colorlessglass globe-lantern suspended by a cord, A which passes over two pulley-wheels, B B, journaled to arms O projecting from the top of the signal-pole C. D indicates a red or other properly-colored glass globe, of a suitable size and shape to hold within it the white-light lantern, the cord suspending which passes through the top ofthe globe D.

The red or danger-signal is given by drawing the white light within the red globe and allowing it to shine through, and the white signal by letting the white light down out of the red globe, as shown in the drawing.

E is a spiral spring placed within the red globe, its lower end resting on the top of the white-light lantern. Its object is to throw down the white signal out of the red globe when the cord is released. Another cord, or the same cord attached to the bottoni of the lantern, may be used for the same purpose or to assist in giving the white signal. The two globes are shown as suspended on the same cord. The red globe, however, may be drawn to its proper position and fastened, and the lantern arranged in relation to it the saine as described. Either method admits of the instant change of signal from red to white or white to red.

It is obvious that the colored globe may, if desired, be of any color, but red is mentioned`as being the usual danger-signal.

The flange F around the top of the lantern is opaque, and intended to shade the white light from the colored globe when giving the white signal. The spring should be strong enough to bear the weight ofthe red-glass globe easily, in order that when both are operated on the saine cord the red globe cannot descend over the lantern unless its upper end is against the arin C or other stop. By this arrangement both lanterns and globe maybe raised or lowered together, for lilling, cleaning, or other purpose, by the saine rope.

I claim as my 'invention- The combination, with the colored globe D and spring E, ot' the white-light lantern A, suspended by the cord A, and provided with the opaque lianch F, substantially as specified.

L1 testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my naine in the presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER M. HOLMES.

Vitnesses GEORGE S. TILLINGHAsT,

DWIGHT GRAHAM. (91.) 

